Ice chipping and flaking tray



Oct. 18, 1955 J. G. NlGRo 2,720,760

ICE CHIPPING AND FLKING TRAY Filed June 5, 1955 United States Patent ICE CHlPPING AND FLAKING TRAY Joseph G. Nigro, Chicago, lil., assignor to Gits Molding Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of iilinois Application June 5, 1953, Serial No. 359,877

Claims. (Cl. 62-1085) My invention relates to ice chipping and aking trays, the instant application being an improvement over the disclosure in my copending patent application tiled February 21, 1952 designated Serial No. 272,871 and entitled Tray Means for the Production of Frangible, Chippable, and Flakable Artificial Icicle Elements, now Patent No. 2,674,862, issued April 13, 1954.

An important general object of my invention is to provide a tray which is in part subdivided by webs and partitions defining icicle forming cavities so that the said tray, which is made of resilient and flexible plastic material, when subjected to torsional strains or stresses7 will cause the icicle formed therein to disintegrate and chip and ake as described and elucidated in the aforementioned copending patent.

'I'he present application is particularly intended to provide an ice tray element and partial division means therein capable of producing chipped ice particles, which are readily miscible with aqueous liquids and wherein special provisions are made to facilitate the application of torsional stresses and strains onto the tray means, so that the chipping or other comminution of the ice body formed therein into small and irregular size particles with a minimum of physical effort will be facilitated, while at the same time assuring that the tray means per se will be stressed only within its elastic limit, so as to prevent permanent damage to the tray means itself by the application of stresses used for chipping or otherwise comminuting the ice therein.

In this respect the present invention comprises an improvement over the device of my prior patent aforesaid, in that the division means provided therein, while rigidly secured to and preferably also integralwith the body of the tray means, comprises at least two rows of parallel partition means which are rigid with the bottom of the tray and preferably also integral therewith and which are spaced from the sides of the tray to provide a channel between the outside rows and the sides of the tray and also which are spaced from each other to provide at least one channel for forming a strip of ice separating the rows of partition means. When there are but two such rows, the channel therebetween is preferably centrally disposed, parallel to the sides of the tray means and merges with the perimetral channel at each end of the tray means. The absence of a positive attachment between these parallel partition means and the sides of the tray and also the absence of a central median rib, both of which were conventional in the prior art, facilitates torsional twisting of the tray required to chip up the ice congealed therein with a minimum of effort.

In addition to the division means aforesaid, there is preferably also provided a relatively few (at least one in each row) of partition means which are rigidly secured to both the sides and bottom of the tray and which are disposed in a staggered arrangement longitudinally thereof. These additional partition means serve in part as the other partition means and also serve to strengthen 2,720,760 Patented Oct. 18, 1955 the tray and to prevent its destruction or damage by the torsional strains to which it is subjected in normal use.

There may further be optionally provided adjacent to each end of the tray means, a stiffening or reinforcing web or partition which is parallel to the adjacent end and which is preferably rigidly secured to the bottom and both sides of the tray.

Other objects and advantages inherent in my invention will become apparent from an examination of the accompanying drawings, bearing further elucidation in the ensuing description, wherein like symbols are used to designate like parts, and in which:

Fig. l is a top elevational view of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 2 2 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional View taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2 with a certain portion of web broken away in order more clearly to depict the structure of the web lying behind the said cutaway web.

Referring to the drawings, the tray embodying the invention is generally designated 4 and consists of a tray body 5 which is slightly tapered downwardly so as to facilitate its removal from the mold; the same being molded of rubber or other suitable iiexible and resilient organic plastic material.

The body 5 terminates in two similar handle portions 7, one at each end, each of which is strengthened by the intermediate web portions 8. The handles 7 merge with a beaded portion 6 around the sides of the tray to lend rigidity thereto.

The liquid holding cavity 9 in the tray has a transverse web or partition 10 near each end extending between and rigid with the side and bottom walls. A web or partition 17 extends inwardly from one side wall to a point near the center of the tray, and another similar web 17 extends a corresponding distance inwardly from the opposite side wall. The webs 17 and 17 are rigid with the associated side walls respectively and with the bottom of the tray. Between the staggered webs 17 and 17', and also between the latter and the end of the tray nearest to each are a series of short webs or partitions 11 and 12, all rigid with the tray bottom and all terminating at a uniform distance from the side wals. Each of the webs 11, therefore, stands isolated from the sides of the tray and is not attached to other webs, nor to the side walls of the tray. The webs 10, 11, 12, 17 and 17', considered collectively, form a series of webs, in two rows as shown, which are spaced apart uniformly in a direction longitudinal of the tray. The four or more webs 12 which are provided are higher than the webs 11 in order to permit setting trays as herein shown in super-imposition to allow the liquid therein to drain over the top surface 20 of the tray and permit freezing of the liquid within the perimetral channel 13 and the intermediate spaces 14 between webs 11 and 12. The webs or partitions 1i), 11, 12, 17 and 17 may be provided as shown with cut out portions 1S and 19 in axial alignment so as to permit the liquid to congeal within these cutout portions and thus strengthen the frozen icicle produced in each compartment of the cavity 9.

The icicle is formed within the cavity 9, which is in part subdivided by the partitions or webs aforesaid into channels 16 disposed between the transverse webs 10 and the ends of the tray respectively, a perimetral channel 13 between the rows of webs 11 and 12 and the sides of the tray and between these rows and the webs 10, spaces 14 between the webs 11, 12, 17 and 17 in each row of webs, and a central longitudinal channel 15 between the two rows of webs or partitions shown. These spaces or channels are further interconnected through the' agency of the liquid oceupying the cut out portions v18 andY 19, and levelled oit to the top surface of the tray 20. The production, or the making of ice chips, and flakes, is a. rather simple procedure and comprises grasp-r ing the" handles of the' tray, one' in' each' hand andb subjeot'ing" the same' to a torsional or action' t'o and fro, causing the congealed or frozen icicle to disintegrate' and' form irreglarichip's' and daltes.

lthongh thedrawings and theabove yspe'cincati'on dis= close the best modes, in v'viiiehv I hyeioontetnpiated embodying my invention, I desire to' beiin no' Way limited' Y Y sides and ends of exible' and' resilient plastic material,

Yprovided witlrmanipula'ting handle portions at each of saidA ends, ai plurality of substantially parallel partition means, which are respectively secured to the bottomy of s'aid tray element', for dividing the liquid-retaining compartment of said tray element in part'into' a multiplicity of ice congealing compartments, each of wafer-like nar-v rownes's, said' partition means beingl arranged'in 'at least two rows which are' spaced apart from the sides of said tray element and which are spaced apartl from oneranother to define" a perimetral ice congeling channel mergv ing at each end of said tray element with at least one central ice' congealing channel between said rows, said ic'e' congealing compartments being of a size and shape y such that ice congealed therein is of such thinness' that saidtra-y means, subsequent to the congealing of liquid therein to form ice, and when subjected to torsional strains and'stresses' by torsional movementsV caused by relative' twisting' of its-handle portions with respectto eachother, causes'V the* ice formed therein' to be 'resolved into icechips, 'akes and crystals of relatively small and irregular configuration readily miscible'with liquids.

' 2".Tray means' inY accordancel with claim 1, in which there are only' two of said rows of partition means and oneY eentrally disposed ice' cong'ealing channel between two'row's and substantially midway between and paisneiwith taesides of said tray nement.

s. Trayv dit-atis-Y fof piodue" g4 ice; Y e ps; takes and crystals," comprising' a Vtray' element'including'a bottom, sides", and ends of e'xible and resilient plastic material,Y provided with manipulating handle portions at each' of said ends, a plurality of substantially parallel partition means, which are'r respectively secured to the bottom of said tray element, for dividing the liquid-retaining compartment of' saidtray element in part into a multiplicity' Y of Yice eong'ealing'compartments', each of wafer-like narrowness'; said partition means being' arranged in two rows' which are' spaced apart from thev sides of said tray element andV which arespaced apart from one/anotherI to' defineY a perimetral ice -cong'ealing' channel merging Vat Yeach end of said tray element with a central ice' conge'al# ing channel disposed between said rows, at least one additional partition means' in each of said rows', said additional partition means being 'staggered' longitudinallyv of said 4tray element. so that one such additional .partition nieans in one Yof said rowsV will no t'b'e opposite'nother s'tich partition' means in' the othe of said rows, each said' additional partition means extending `from one ofi said side walls t'o said central ice conge'aling channel and being secred' to both said bottom and one of said side walls of said' tray element, so as'to furnish additional structural rigidity between said lbottom and side walls, said addi?l tionaltpar'tition Ineens cooperating wifhdjaeet ones` of the first named partition means' in defining" iee congealing 4- compartments as aforesaid, said ice congealing compartments being of aV size and shape suchthat ice congealed therein is of such thinness that said tray means, subsequenttto the congealing of liquid therein to form ice, and when subjected to torsional strainsand stresses by tor-`Y sional movements caused by relative twisting of its handle portions with respect to each other, causes the ice formed therein to beresolved into ice' chips, Hakes and crystals of relatively small and Virregular configuration readily miscible with'liquids.

4. Tray means in accordance with' claim ,171, c'oriipiis-VY ing' in addition, at least one partition adjacent'fo eael end of said tray element and substantially parallel; with the V'adjacent end and extending from side to side of said Y i'c'e' to' torsional stie'ssesjad strains; said' Ii'qii tray element, being secured to said bottom and both sides of said tray element, for reinforcingrthe end portions of said tray element.

5. A tray that can receiveliquid and that can hold and confine that liquid while' that liquid is congealed' to ice and that can thereafter respond to twisting t`o` convert said i'ee into ic'e chips or lla-kes and that comprises a' liquid 'retain-V ing compartment with a' b'c'att'o'niV and, with up'standiig1V walls,V said liquid retaining compartment having an `aids that extends between two opposedrwa'lls of said liquid rle taining compartment, a plurality of plates th" are integral Y with said bottom of said liquid retaining-,com artment' d that extend upwardly from said bottoni of lsaid liqiid tainingcompartment, said plates being c'loslyfadja each other to' define' a multiplicity of eornparativelynarrow liqnid congealin'g spaces of wafer-like narrowness, a ni'n# herA of said' plates being' arranged inV groups of Atwo Yor more plates, two of the platesin each 'group ,ofY plates having the adjacent ends thereof spaced apart to denne a connecting opening and having the opposite Vends thereof directed away from said connecting oprning, the said two plates said gronps of plates' having the' 4upper" edged o the adjacent ends' thereof free to ile Iateally, said c'o necting openings extending downwardly from the appro f mate level of the upper edges of said wallsofsaid liquid retaining compartment to the approximate level' of said 1 bottom of said liquid retaining compartment, and al 'liningV ber of said connecting openings being in register with each other to denne a liquid conge'ali'ng passageway in said liquid retaining compartment, said tray being'rnade of flexible material whereby said opposed walls 'cianY be reeij'garo'c'auyV rotated about' said' a'x'is et sidliqnid ret compartment to recurrently distitf'sa'id liquid etalnig Compartment and' the said plts thereiri to" "I" spaces donned by said Vplates Ybeing" inteiconnectedby ald pas'age'way tol permit the fofmationof 'an icic'l'e withV a multiplicity' of interconnected readily frangiblecongeled wafers of such thinness thatY the said distortion of said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein said mafers into chips and flakes of relatively small irregular conguration that are readily miscible iiqtiids. l v l e Y 6. A tray that can receive liquid and that carrhold and con'ne that liquid while that liqu'id is congeled to ice and that can thereafter respond to twisting to convert said ice into ice chips or flakes and that comprises a liquid retaining compartment with a bottom and withfupstandl ing walls, said liquid retaining compartment havingan that extends between two'Y opposed walls of said liquid retaining compartment, a plurality of plates that are iiitegral' with; said bottom of said liquid: retaining comparti' ment and that entend upwardly from said bottom ofsaid liquid retaining compartment, said plates being closely adjacent each other to define a multiplicity of c ompanaf` Y ing opening and having the opposite ends thereof directed away from said connecting opening, said plates in said groups of plates having the adjacent ends thereof free to ex laterally, said connecting openings extending downwardly from the approximate level of the upper edges of said walls of said liquid retaining compartment, and `a number of said connecting openings being in register with each other to dene a liquid congealing passageway in said liquid retaining compartment, and said tray being made of flexible material whereby said opposed walls can be reciprocally rotated about said axis of said liquid retaining compartment to recurrently distort said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein to subject said ice to torsional stresses and strains, said liquid congealing spaces dened by said plates being interconnected by said passageway to permit the formation of an icicle with a multiplicity of interconnected readily frangible congealed wafers of such thinness that the said distortion of said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein during reciprocal rotation of said opposed walls breaks said wafers into chips and flakes of relatively small and irregular conguration that are readily miscible with liquids.

7. A tray that can receive liquid and that can hold and confine that liquid while that liquid is congealed to ice and that can thereafter respond to twisting to convert said ice into ice chips or flakes and that comprises a liquid retaining compartment with a bottom and with upstanding walls, said liquid retaining compartment having an axis that extends between two opposed walls of said liquid retaining compartment, a plurality of plates that are integral with said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment and that extend upwardly from said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment, said plates being closely adjacent each other to deline a multiplicity of comparatively narrow liquid congealing spaces of wafer-like narrowness, a number of said plates being arranged in groups of two or more plates, two of the plates in each group of plates having the adjacent ends thereof spaced apart to dene a connecting opening and having the opposite ends thereof directed away from said connecting opening, the said two plates in said groups of plates having the adjacent ends thereof free to iiex laterally, and a number of said connecting openings being in register with each other to define a liquid congealing passageway in said liquid retaining compartment, said tray being made of flexible material whereby said opposed walls can be reciprocally rotated about said axis of said liquid retaining compartment to recurrently distort said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein to subject said ice to torsional stresses, said liquid congealing spaces dened by said plates being interconnected by said passageway to permit the formation of an icicle with a multiplicity of interconnected readily frangible congealed wafers of such thinness that the said distortion of said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein during reciprocal rotation of said opposed walls breaks said wafers into chips and flakes of relatively small and irregular conguration that are readily miscible with liquids.

8. A tray that can receive liquid and that can hold and conine that liquid while that liquid is congealed to ice and that can thereafter respond to twisting to convert said ice into ice chips or akes and that comprises a liquid retaining compartment with a bottom and with upstanding walls, said liquid retaining compartment having an axis that extends between two opposed walls of said liquid retaining compartment, a plurality of plates that are integral with said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment and that extend upwardly from said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment, said plates being closely adjacent each other to define a multiplicity of comparatively narrow liquid congealing spaces of waferlike narrowness, and a number of said plates being arranged in groups of two or more plates, the plates in each group of plates being aligned and having the ad- 6 Y t jacent ends thereof spaced apart to deiine a connecting opening and having the opposite ends thereof directed away from said connecting opening, each of said plates in said groups of plates having the adjacent ends thereof free to ex laterally, the plates in said groups of plates coacting to define a plurality of rows of plates in said liquid retaining compartment, said connecting openings extending downwardly from the approximate level of the upper edges of said walls of said liquid retaining compartment, said tray being made of flexible material whereby said opposed walls can be reciprocally rotated about said axis of said liquid retaining compartment to recurrently distort said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein to subject said ice to torsional stresses and strains, some of said liquid congealing spaces defined by said plates being interconnected by said connecting openings to permit the formation of an icicle with a multiplicity of interconnected readily frangible congealed wafers of such thinness that the said distortion of said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein during reciprocal rotation of said opposed walls breaks said wafers into chips and akes of relatively small and irregular configuration that are readily miscible with liquids.

9. A tray that can receive liquid and that can hold and confine that liquid while that liquid is congealed to ice and that can thereafter respond to twisting to convert said ice into ice chips or flakes and that comprises a liquid retaining compartment with a bottom and with upstanding walls, said liquid retaining compartment having an axis that extends between two opposed walls of said liquid retaining compartment, a plurality of plates that are integral with said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment and that extend upwardly from said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment, said plates being closely adjacent each other to dene a multiplicity of comparatively narrow liquid congealing spaces of wafer-like narrowness, and a number of said plates being arranged in groups of two or more plates, two of the plates in each group of plates having the adjacent ends thereof spaced apart to define a connecting opening and having the opposite ends thereof directed away from said connecting opening, said connecting openings extending downwardly from the approximate level of the upper edges of said walls of said liquid retaining compartment to the approximate level of said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment, said tray being made of flexible material whereby said opposed walls can be reciprocally rotated about said axis of said liquid retaining compartment to recurrently distort said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein to subject said ice to torsional stresses and strains, some of said liquid congealing spaces defined by said plates being interconnected by said connecting openings to permit the formation of an icicle with a multiplicity of interconnected readily frangible congealed wafers of such thinness that the said distortion of said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein during reciprocal rotation of said opposed walls breaks said wafers into chips and akes of relatively small and irregular contiguration that are readily miscible with liquids.

10. A tray that can receive liquid and that can hold and confine that liquid while that liquid is congealed to ice and that can thereafter respond to twisting to convert said ice into ice chips or akes and that comprises a liquid retaining compartment with a bottom and with upstanding walls, said liquid retaining compartment having an axis that extends between two opposed walls of said liquid retaining compartment, a plurality of plates that are integral with said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment and that extend upwardly from said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment, said plates being closely adjacent each other to define a multiplicity of comparatively narrow liquid congealing spaces of waferlike narrowness, some of said plates having at least one andmanipulating handles that are adjacent the ends of,

said liquid retaining compartment, each of said manipulating handles including a rib that extends outwardly from Van end of'said liquid retaining compartment and,

that extends transversely of said axis and that returns to said end of saidlquid retaining compartment and also including a generally flat Web ythat extendsy from the upper edge of said end of said liquid retaining compartment to said n'b', said tray being made of ilexible material whereby said manipulating handles can be reciprocally rotated about said axis of said liquid retaining :ompartment to recurrently distort said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein to subjeet said icel to' torsionalv stresses andV strains, said liquid Vcong'ealing 'spaces defined by said plates permitting kthe formation of an icicle with la, Ymultiplicity of readily frangible congealed wafers of such thinness that the said distortion of said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein during reciprocal rotation of said manipulating handles breaks said wafers into chips and flakes of relatively small and irregular configuration that are readily miscible with liquids.

References Cited in the tile of`V this patent UrsuTED STATES PATENTS 1,879,6 02 Copeman Sept. 27, 1932v 1,907,503* Chilton 2 May 9, 1933 1,932,689 BuchananY Oct. 3l, 1933. 1,939,445 HenneV Dec. 12, 195,3,` 2,063,100 Johnsen DeC- 8., 19,36V 2,067,074 Chilton Jan. 5, 19,37 2,433,210 ons Dec, 23, 19,47 2,454,960 Berkeley Nov. 3Q, 19.48,. 2,503,693 Vanl Lennep Q. Apr. 1,1, 1950v 2,538,939 Hallock ,..V Jan.Y 2 3, 19,51 2,587,852 JahnV g Mar. 4, 1952 2,633,715 Foster Apr. 7, 1953', 2,674,862 Nigro Apr,V 13 1954` 

